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No passing trend, the selfie photo is here to stay. In fact, a leading Manchester skin doctor credits the selfie with an increase in demand for skin treatments to make patients look younger.

Dr Tim Pearce MB ChB BSc (Hons) MRCGP

The no make-up selfie trend really did become a driving force. At the height of the campaign, a third of my appointments were for patients looking to have anti-wrinkle injection treatments in advance of their photograph.

Manchester (PRWEB UK)24 April 2014

Dr Tim Pearce, founder and lead Aesthetic Doctor at SkinViva Manchester, has identified that the craze for selfies has influenced demand for injectable cosmetic skin treatments as patients want to look younger and fresher with or without makeup.

“Selfies and social media mean that it is no longer just the celebs that live their lives in public. Seeing our own photos on the internet we are forced to pay extra attention to our appearance and it is only natural to compare to those of your friends and family.”

“I have seen a number of patients for whom seeing their own photos online was a kind of tipping point or a revelation, enabling them to identify their flaws and seek assistance in the form of a few well-chosen skin treatments to help them look better in photos and feel better about themselves – with and without makeup. It is rarely the only reason for seeking treatment. However, it has been for some a useful catalyst in helping them to identify issues that troubled them, even showing their photos to doctors in a consultation to illustrate the areas of concern.”

It is estimated that over a million selfies are taken on a daily basis worldwide, so it seems the selfie is here to stay. The informal nature of a selfie photo means that they are taken far more frequently than traditional portraits in a very impromptu manner, without the opportunity to prepare; although statistics say that 36% of people have admitted to altering their selfies, using digital enhancement or retouching software before releasing them.

The concept of taking and posting photos of yourself regularly online has made many people far more aware of their own appearance as well as that of their contemporaries. In fact, the recent ‘no makeup selfie’ trend has taken things to another level. While some claim to find it liberating, many others are disappointed in what the camera reveals.

Dr Tim Pearce continued:

“The no make-up selfie trend really did become a driving force. At the height of the campaign, a third of my appointments were for patients looking to have anti-wrinkle injection treatments in advance of their photograph.”

“Fundamentally, it is natural to want to look your best all the time.”

“Anti-ageing injections have been the most popular choice, trouble-shooting areas such as lines and wrinkles with injections to stop the fine dynamic facial muscle movements and allow the skin to drape more smoothly. Done correctly, these need not look false or frozen, but can be almost immediately rejuvenating.”

“Dermal fillers have also seen a lot of enquiries, as patients choose to tackle deeper lines and creases, such as those between the nose and the mouth. Enhancing the lips for a fuller look is also popular, especially among those whose lips have been affected by regular smoking, or patients with naturally thin lips which can look out of balance in a photograph.”

“Yet one of the fastest ways to improve a photo is to ensure your complexion is glowing and radiant. For this, a chemical peel is a highly effective and economical choice. The process removes the top layer of skin cells – a highly effective exfoliation – revealing newer skin cells for an instant radiance. Yet there are longer term benefits too, as the process boosts production of new skin cells and collagen for a healthier and more youthful glow that continues to improve.”

SkinViva was established in 2008 and have an excellent reputation for delivering excellent results and high patient satisfaction through their professional skin treatments. Popular skin treatments include wrinkle-relaxing injections, dermal fillers, micro-needling and skin peels.

All their professional skin treatments are carried out by qualified UK-registered doctors. The team is led by fully qualified doctor and Clinical Director, Dr Tim Pearce MB ChB BSc (Hons) MRCGP, who also established a skin treatments training school, SkinViva Training, in 2013, in order to teach best practice skills and techniques to other medical professionals wishing to develop their skills within the non-surgical treatments business.

They are based in Manchester where they have recently opened their own new flagship clinic in the Castlefield area and have built up a network of over 85 skin treatment clinic locations over the North West of England, including Cheshire, Lancashire and Derbyshire.